Goodbye Sugarless Gum

Goodbye Old Friend

 Today I was talking with a friend about artificial sweeteners and the controversy surrounding their impact on human health. There have been some studies (see here and here) that have shown a slight increase in cancers and auto-immune disorders in people who use artificial sweeteners (not to mention reports of headaches, joint stiffness, and dizziness). There is also some evidence to suggest that  artificial sweeteners may actually contribute to weight gain. The Center for Science in the Public Interest also has a great list of food additives that includes information about artificial sweeteners by type.

While the evidence isn't conclusive, I generally try to avoid artificial sweeteners, and since I eat a largely whole foods diet, this isn't too hard for me. There is one product I use regularly, however, that contains artificial sweeteners, and that is sugarless gum. And when I say regularly, I mean really regularly, as in a couple of times a day. Yikes, that's a lot of artificial sweetener! 

So goal #6 for the year is to give up gums that contain artificial sweeteners. We sell a few gums at the Co-op that are sweetened with xylitol, a more "natural" sugar substitute that is usually derived from hardwood, corn, or fruit. Other then causing diarrhea when eaten in large quantities, xylitol hasn't been shown to cause health problems in humans (xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, though, so be sure to keep it away from pets). In general I haven't found xylitol gums to be as tasty or breath-freshening as my old friend pictured above, and while I might try them from time to time, I think for now I'll be quitting gum cold turkey. 

This is going to be a hard one. Wish me luck!